Parents in uncertainty over reopening of Kenyan schools Monday

Redemptah Nthambi, a shop attendant (left) helps fit a shoe to Simon Maina and Peris Wanjiru with their Mother Beth Ndungu (standing) looking on during Back to school preparations. PHOTO DAVID NJAAGA

NAIROBI: Parents and students were yesterday uncertain over the reopening of schools for third term today, with the crisis over teachers’ pay yet to be resolved.

A spot check by The Standard in various supermarkets around Nairobi revealed students doing their back-to-school shopping as they awaited word from their head teachers on whether their holiday would be extended.

Parents of students who have to travel to school were anxious about releasing their children, fearing that teachers might send them home immediately they report.

“We don’t know if we should spend money to pay for their transport because teachers might send them back home, and it would be very expensive for us,” said Mary Kerubo, a parent at Kakamega Boys High school.

Easy Coach Quality Control Manager Denish Okoth expressed disappointment at the turn of events, saying the company was already experiencing losses from students who are cancelling their travel plans due to the uncertainty.

At the Machakos Country Bus stage, even though students boarding the buses were scarce, drivers were optimistic that business will pick up within the week.

Parents urged the Government and teachers to come to an agreement as soon as possible so that children, especially candidates, don’t miss out on important parts of the curriculum.

Majority of parents in Nakuru town expressed concerns over looming teachers’ strike.

They said the strike could see pupils and students lose out on learning as teachers have vowed to take industrial action till the Treasury honours their pay rise.

As compared to other days where parents throng malls and bookshops in the the last-minute shopping rush, most premises remained closed.

Ann Achieng, a parent of a Form Two student at Kisumu Girls, said though there was no clear communication from Ministry of Education on the strike notice, she had no option but send her daughter to school as the fate of teachers pay rise was yet to be known.

She said the school administration re-assured her students would be safe and learning would go on as normal.

“Though I am aware teachers might indulge in a strike, the administration maintained that schools open today,” said Ms Achieng.

Another parent Fredrick Wafula, with a Form Three student at St Joseph Girls’ Kitale, said he was forced to send his daughter to school because a circular provided during closing of schools expect her to report today.

Mr Wafula, however, said there was no communication from teaching staff on the fate of education amid teachers’ strike threat.

James Mwangi, a business operator who prints names on schools uniforms and text books, said he received very few clients.

“This is the lowest moment of my business. At such times when schools re-open, there are always long queues waiting for services,” he said.

Kisumu County teachers have, however, warned their national union officials not to backtrack on their strike threat should the Government fail to implement their pay rise.

Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers Chairman Zablon Awange (Kisumu branch), said time for dialogue was over and that the Government should obey the courts.

He stated that they are ready to paralyse learning and the upcoming national examinations, if the Government doesn’t pay them by midnight today.

Mr Awange said this will be a protected strike and warned parents to let their children stay at home until the Government bows to pressure and pays them their dues.

Meanwhile, the Government has been asked to honour the High Court ruling and pay teachers their pay rise which they have been pushing for over years.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale told the Government to pay teachers their dues, noting that it had enough money to cater for teachers’ demands.

He was speaking at the weekend in Navakholo during the funeral of Abanyala Council of Elders Chairman Zablon Munyasa.

Reports by Mercy Adhiambo, Mercy Kahenda, Rushdie Oudia and Alex Wakhisi